Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2018
76. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the business and human rights implementation group as required under the national plan on business and human rights 2017 to 2020 has been established; the composition of the group; and when it will commence its work. [8961/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has commissioned a baseline assessment of the legislative and regulatory framework pertaining to business and human rights here as committed to under the national plan on business and human rights 2017 to 2020; and when it will be completed. [8962/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.
Ireland published its National Plan on Business and Human Rights in November 2017 on foot of a Government commitment to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP). The National Plan aims to give effect to the Guiding Principles through the promotion of responsible business practice at home and overseas, and was developed following an extensive consultation process.
The National Plan is designed to be a living document which will permit updates to reflect contemporaneous developments. One goal of the National Plan is to assist and encourage businesses to understand that respect for human rights is good for business. Part of this process is to encourage businesses to promote human rights within their business operations and engage positively with organisations and individuals seeking to do the same. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has responsibility for the operationalisation of a number of actions set out in the National Plan, including the establishment of a Business and Human Rights Implementation Group. This group will consist of representatives from Government, the business community and civil society. It is envisaged that the group will meet twice a year to review implementation of the National Plan. Work is underway to establish the Group and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is liaising with stakeholders in this regard. A key priority is to identify an individual with a strong track record in the promotion of human rights in a business environment to chair the Group.
Preliminary work has also been undertaken to commission a baseline assessment which will complete a comprehensive study of the legislation and regulatory framework pertaining to business and human rights as it applies in Ireland.
Business and Human Rights has been added as a regular item on the agendas of both the Inter-Departmental Committee on Human Rights and the DFAT NGO Standing Committee and will be discussed at upcoming meetings of both bodies.
